Randy Couture willing to fight in the UFC once more

[heyzel]

Cofield: UFC & Randy Couture working together again

Zach Arnold | September 1, 2008 | Print This


Report here. Couture vs. Lesnar at UFC 91 in November in Portland is now likely. Couture has a gym about 10 minutes from Portland in Vancouver, Washington.

If Steve Cofield is right and we assume that Couture signed a multi-fight deal with UFC, then there are a lot of losers coming out of this situation.

Couture’s image, no doubt, takes a hit. He had a chance to fight ‘the man’ (UFC) and open up new legal possibilities for fighters, and in the end he took the money and cut his losses. It doesn’t make Couture ‘Mr. Evil’; it just makes him out to be the same as any other fighter in MMA. Dana White has good reason to be confident in stating that there will never be a union or fighter’s association in MMA.

Second, Mark Cuban was reportedly helping out Couture with legal costs. What does he get out of it now?
Third, Affliction could be facing the prospects of not being able to book Couture vs. Fedor in their ring. You would have to assume that booking Couture vs. Fedor was going to be a major part of their business plan. After all, the two men shook hands at Affliction’s debut event in Anaheim.
Unless Fedor agrees to fight the winner of Arlovski vs. Barnett (10/11 Las Vegas), WAMMA has to be prepared to strip the Russian of his title belt if he goes to UFC. Dana White will not allow any mentions of WAMMA whatsoever or even have that belt shown on PPV or TV.

Out of all of the fighters in the MMA business, Randy Couture was in the best position to challenge parts of UFC’s somewhat controversial fighter contracts in regards to the clauses inserted into them. Now that Couture reportedly is back in the UFC fold, UFC will be able to breath a big sigh of relief that none of the contractual provisions they make fighters sign (e.g. the retirement clause, the champion’s clause) will face a legal challenge any time soon.

 

[BROWN GUERRERO]

Haha this is crazy news. I'm pumped!

 

[heyzel]

I can't wait myself but put randy in with big nog first

 

[UCDgreek]

this is great. i just wish they could get randy to start doing some commentating again

 

[heyzel]

Randy Couture: Brock Lesnar Can Be a Contender, 'I Don't Think He's There Yet'

by Michael David Smith


The UFC is expected to announce today that heavyweight champion Randy Couture will return after more than a year off to fight Brock Lesnar in November. So what does Couture think of Lesnar?

In a radio interview with Adam Carolla a couple of weeks ago, Couture spoke highly of Lesnar's performance against Heath Herring, but he also said he doesn't think Lesnar is a contender just yet.

"I think it's a matter of time before Brock is a serious contender in the heavyweight division," Couture said. "I don't think he's there yet. I don't think beating Heath puts him in that status, but he's got a great wrestler's base, he's a big, big physical guy. He's a very good athlete."

Couture also sounded like he thinks Lesnar needs to show the proper respect for the sport of mixed martial arts, and not treat it like pro wrestling.

"He was a national champion for Minnesota. He was a very, very good collegiate wrestler," Couture said. "And we kind of saw both things happen against Heath Herring. We saw that wrestler, that athlete, win that fight, but then he went all WWE on us and stole the microphone from Joe Rogan, went nuts and said, 'I rode the Crazy Horse' and all kinds of things."

At the time of the interview, Couture was still aiming to fight Fedor Emelianenko in his return to the cage. Now he will apparently fight Lesnar, and we'll find out for sure if Lesnar is there yet.

 

[PsyDaL]

^^^^ agreed joe rogan, mike goldberg and randy couture handled some serious commentating when they were all together....

Gonna check out ESPN at noon to see if they really make an announcement....

 

[heyzel]

Gross says Fedor isn’t locked yet

While the general consensus is that Randy Couture is definitely coming back to the UFC, word from Josh Gross at SI.com is that Fedor hasn’t been locked down yet - but the UFC is working on it.

While Lesnar has been mentioned as a possible opponent for Couture, the former professional wrestler is not the only name in consideration, one source said.

A return to the UFC for Couture would likely include an option to fight Emelianenko, a source close to the fighter said. In fact, negotiations between UFC executives and Emelianenko’s American representatives, led by Dennis Spencer of SFX Media, are at an advanced stage, SI.com has learned.

The article also mentions Fedor’s Affliction contract, with Tom Atencio on record saying Affliction wouldn’t get in the way of letting that fight happen, even if they’re not involved. It’s times like this that I’m glad not everyone is a cut throat business asshole. On the other hand, if you’re not willing to go eye for an eye against the UFC, they’re liable to poke out both of yours before you can even say “You’re welcome to use Fedor.”

 

[heyzel]

Live blogging the UFC's major announcement

By: Kris Karkoski | Sep 2, 2008
UFC President Dana White will make a “major UFC announcement” during a 3pm ET media conference call.

White is expected to announce the return of UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture for a November 15th matchup against Brock Lesnar at UFC 91.

MMAFrenzy.com’s live coverage of the announcement is currently in progress below.

3:05pm ET — The conference call has not yet begun as more media participants are still being admitted. We should be underway shortly.

3:12 pm ET — The UFC has announced that due to a “scheduling conflict” the media conference call has been postponed until 4pm ET.

4:12pm ET — Dana White has announced that UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture will take on Brock Lesnar at UFC 91 on November 15th in Las Vegas.

4:13pm ET — Win or lose, Couture will remain in the UFC.

4:13pm ET — The UFC will do “everything in their power” to get Couture vs. Emelianenko booked, but says they must work it out with Affliction.

4:15pm ET — The fight will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, not in Portland, Oregon as expected

4:17pm ET — Nogueira and Mir will still fight at UFC 92 for the interim heavyweight title then the winners of both bouts will unify the titles in early-2009

4:18pm ET — The UFC and Couture has settled their legal dispute as part of their agreement to have Couture return to the octagon.

4:19pm ET — Couture says he is not yet ready for Lesnar but will analyze his opponent and train accordingly.

4:20pm ET — Lesnar says heavyweight championship shot a “great opportunity”.

4:21pm ET — Dana White says they are happy to resolve issues and Couture adds that both sides had to make compromises to make things work. White says all he cares about is that Couture is “back and he’s fighting”. They have cleared the air and are “trying to move forward

4:23pm ET — White says Lesnar looked “damn good” in his fight against Heath Herring and that he was determined to be the top contender as fans had little interest in seeing Lesnar fight Cheick Kongo.

4:24pm ET — Dana White says Couture-Lesnar will be “biggest fight in UFC history

4:25pm ET — Lesnar “honored” to get into the octagon with Randy.

4 26pm ET — Couture says he weighs 225 pounds at present and will weigh 225 pounds for the fight. Says he can overcome the weigh difference with Lesnar.

4:28pm ET — White says UFC will offer Emelianenko a “fair deal”. Says contract of Emelianenko with Affliction another “obstacle” to Couture-Emelianenko happening

 

[heyzel]

4:33pm ET — White says UFC 91 will do over a million PPV buys.

4:34pm ET — Dana says he would be “horrified” if Affliction survives until January.

4:35pm ET — Couture says he’d rather fight Emelianenko in November but that they’re “on the right road”.

4:36pm ET — White calls upcoming heavyweight championship fights a “tournament

Dana White: Brock vs. Couture will be "the biggest fight in UFC history".

- Dana White on competitors and co-promotion: ": These guys are dying on the vine. You’re not under contract if the company’s not in business anymore.

- Dana White: "I would be horrified if Affliction's still in business in January."

- Couture: would rather fight Fedor, but fight with Brock "a step in the right direction"

- Couture says UFC and he have "cleared the air"; "comfortable with way things stand right now"

- Couture says he'll weigh approximately 225lbs for this fight.

- Dana White says he doesn't know if Couture is the richest fighter in the UFC.

- Dana White: Nogueira is probably thrilled Couture is back.

- Dana White: research was done and proves Brock vs. Couture will be biggest fight in UFC history.

- Couture: re-signing with the UFC to get Fedor is "path of least resistance"

- Dana White: the heavyweight division "is looking pretty damn good now"

- Couture: MMA is the combative sport for this generation

- Couture: how can you overlook a guy [Brock Lesnar] that size?

- Dana White: over the next year we are going to see some really great heavyweight fights.

- Randy and Dana: feels good to have this problem resolved; "to see a little sunshine for a change is pretty nice"

- Dana White: "I like fighting with Tito"

- Dana White suggests Fedor might have to be not under contract for the UFC to sign a fight with him. He didn't say it was required, but he alluded to it.

- Dana White: Affliction is losing "shitloads" of money.

- Couture: biggest part of my decision was communicating with Lorenzo and Dana that I was feeling. Second was frustration with legal system. Tired of throwing money with lawyers with no end in sight. Best place for me to fight is a cage, not a court room.

- Dana White: "I'm like a giddy little girl right now"

- Dana White: "It drives me insane when Fedor is called the best p4p fighter in the world." If Fedor is the best, he has to come to the UFC eventually.

- Dana White: people don't know this, but there was bad blood between Brock and Herring. Herring was insulted he had to fight him.

- Brock Lesnar: "not a lot of people get this opportunity".

- Brock Lesnar: "who gives a shit about Fedor Emelianenko?" I'm sick and tired of sitting on the phone listening about Fedor. "Who fucking gives a shit?"

- Dana White: "UFC Countdown" for this fight could be two or three part series.

- Dana White: this is where all the best heavyweights are. Randy Couture is relevant; Fedor is not.

- Couture: I can't spend any time worrying about losing to Lesnar and losing luster on a fight with Fedor.

- Dana White: rivals can have whichever fighters we cut.

- Dana White: Werdum is still in the mix.

- Dana White: expecting 1million to 1.5 million PPV buys for this fight. It's a new deal: 3-fight deal.

- Dana White: I would not sign a one-fight deal with Fedor.

- Dana White: all court action is dead.


Dana White: Randy Couture is the guy everyone wants to fight. Fedor is completely irrelevant.

- Couture: Mark Cuban wants what's best for me. He just wanted to facilitiate what I wanted. Now the best path is to make the fight with Fedor happen in the UFC.

 

[rollinhooters]

where can i watch this at

 

[heyzel]

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mma-frenzy

 

[heyzel]

Dana White says he has "resolved all" problems with Randy Couture

Dana White says he has "resolved all" problems with Randy Couture

by John Morgan on Sep 02, 2008 at 6:05 pm ET

With a near-year-long, well-documented legal dispute apparently resolved, UFC President Dana White today officially announced the return of heavyweight champion Randy Couture (16-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC) to the organization. Couture will defend his UFC heavyweight title against WWE import Brock Lesnar (2-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at UFC 91 on Nov. 15.

The bout, reported by MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) last week, will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas rather than Portland, Ore., as previously expected.

The winner of that bout will then take on the winner of the December title affair between UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Frank Mir in order to unify the UFC's heavyweight belts.

"We had some problems with Randy," White admitted during today's media call. "We've resolved them all. He has always been the heavyweight champion of the UFC. It took us some time to get everything straight, but I think we're all good now and ready to move forward."

Couture resigned from the organization in October, with two fights remaining on his contract, over what he perceived to be a lack of respect from UFC officials, issues over his pay, and the UFC's inability to sign then-top free agent Fedor Emelianenko. Couture planned to wait for the 18-month deal to expire so he could compete in an outside promotion, but UFC officials contended that the contract wouldn't be fulfilled until the two fights were completed. That matter -- as well as a dispute over his employment/promotional contract and Couture's decision to sign a fight contract with HDNet Fights earlier this year -- had been tangled up in the court system.

Today, White said that Couture's old contract was scrapped in favor of a brand new three-fight deal with the UFC.

"No matter whether Randy wins or loses (the bout with Lesnar), he will still be in the UFC," White said.

White said his recently tumultuous relationship with Couture has not suffered any long-term damage despite the differences between the two over the past 12 months.

"I think everybody knows my personality and how I get," White said. "When I don't like somebody, I make it very clear that I don't like them. ... Through this whole thing, I never hated Randy or said anything really bad about Randy.

"The worst thing I think I said about Randy through this whole thing? I think I called him confused. That's it. That's pretty mild for me. I like Randy. I always have. This whole thing never made sense to me."

Couture remains steadfast in his desire to face Emelianenko, the current WAMMA heavyweight champion. White said he will do everything in his power to bring Emelianenko into the UFC -- despite White's numerous claims that Emelianenko was "completely irrelevant."

"[Couture] has made it very clear how bad he wants to fight Fedor," White said. "We're going to do everything in our power to make a Fedor fight happen."

Arranging a fight between Couture and Emelianenko may still prove difficult.

"We're not going to mess with anybody's contract," White said. "[Emelianenko] is under contract right now to another promotion. If he becomes available or something can be worked out with that other promotion -- obviously everybody knows how crazy we are about protecting our contracts; we would never do that to somebody else.

"If the Fedor fight can be made, if he becomes available or whatever, then absolutely we would love to make the Fedor fight."

Before any bout with Emelianenko can be considered, Couture must first get past the massive Lesnar. Couture insists he will not allow any future plans to cloud his focus on the task at hand.

"Obviously [Lesnar] is a great big guy," Couture said. "On the ground or standing he poses some interesting problems. I've got to go to work and find the answer to those questions

 

[heyzel]

Couture admits to main reason as to why he settled with UFC

Couture admits to main reason as to why he settled with UFC
By Zach Arnold | September 2, 2008 | Print This


Predictable:

“The biggest part of my decision was communicating with Lorenzo [Fertitta] and Dana [White] and clearing up things I was feeling,” Couture said. “The second part was getting tired of the legal sytem, throwing money at the legal system and lawyers with no resolution in sight. The best place where I fight is a cage, not a courtroom.”

Remember — Thursday was supposed to be a day in court to determine whether or not Couture would be able to get a jury trial against Zuffa LLC. After that ruling, a trial would have been set for May 26th, 2009. Was Couture lacking that much confidence in winning in court against UFC? It’s strange — he spent a year fighting UFC in court and could have defended himself with one more year out of competition. Impatience, panicking, call it what you want, but it’s certainly curious

 

[heyzel]

Natural’ Selection

Tuesday, September 02, 2008
by Jake Rossen ([email protected])


God bless Randy Couture (Pictures), but Perry Mason he’s not.

Cementing what most sideline know-it-alls figured already, the prospect of endless courtroom jiu-jitsu proved to be too much for the 45-year-old heavyweight champion. Tuesday afternoon, he threw in the towel and ended any further legal tussles with the UFC.

The result is a new three-fight deal with the promotion, which begins Nov. 15 against genetically modified behemoth Brock Lesnar (Pictures). Couture and the UFC are optimistic a deal can eventually be struck with Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures), Russia’s limb-torquing Paul Bunyan. And providing he doesn’t start coughing up dust, there’s probably a place for Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) somewhere in there.

“I’m certainly under time constraints,” Couture said Tuesday during a conference call. “I can’t sit around in courtrooms for very long. I want to fight.”

No kidding.

Whether Couture’s interpretations of his contracts were right or wrong, the U.S. legal system makes glaciers look like Carl Lewis in comparison. Zuffa was fully prepared to ensnare Couture in a legal holding pattern -- not unlike Helio Gracie cooking opponents in his guard for hours on end. A possible result would’ve been Couture emerging as a near 50-year-old free agent, a novelty act at best and a rejected fight licensee at worst.

Compromised by the calendar, Couture returned to the UFC, losing some face in the process but recognizing that wasting what precious little time he has left proves no point. Against Lesnar, he stands to make a lot of money, and there’s probably more chance of an Emelianenko bout happening now than ever before.

“When Fedor’s done with his [Affliction] contract, we’d love to talk to him about fighting in the UFC and facing Couture,” UFC President Dana White told reporters.

This may indicate White is open to letting Emelianenko compete in a one-off bout, or it may not. Either way, it’s a far cry from White’s previous assertion that the Russian was a farce.


Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

While Fedor Emelianenko is Couture's
ultimate prize, a bout with Lesnar
is a fight the champion has desired.It’s clear Couture’s sit-out wasn’t all for naught: He gave a voice to disgruntled talent in a very public forum, forcing the UFC to evaluate its employee relations and taking steps to appease reasonable concerns.

Not long after Couture’s exit, the UFC’s power tower shifted, with the comparatively genial Lorenzo Feritta coming on board to help manage the company full time. Even Tito Ortiz (Pictures), sworn enemy of White, won’t completely rule out a return to the fold.

Couture’s situation obviously had an impact on the company -- and what impacts the UFC impacts the entire industry.


This isn’t to say the UFC has suddenly turned into a bunch of fight fan philanthropists. Fact is, Couture-Emelianenko was really the only bout -- aside from a Kimbo Slice-Tito Ortiz carnival -- that could do any appreciable business outside of the UFC. Why let someone else do it? If the only downside is that your heavyweight champion loses to a guy who’s done in one, White’s inevitable spin that Couture was “too old” would soothe most of the damage.

The price for Couture’s defiance -- and there’s always a price -- is physical. Taking a 14-month vacation from competition in your mid-40s is a far different situation than when you’re in your 30s or 20s. The body is less inclined to recover from arduous exertion: your agility and reflexes take a hit.

There are exceptions, and Couture is obviously one of them -- he’s confounded pundits at every turn since his pro fighting debut in 1997 at age 34. Dara Torres qualified for the Olympics in swimming at the age of 41 and won three silver medals. Baseball fans recognize Satchel Paige, who was a world-class pitcher at age 46. (It’s probably worth nothing that none of these activities involved getting punched in the face by a 280-pound man.)

The reasons are clear: An athlete’s VO2 max -- the amount of oxygen the body can use during effort -- declines as he or she ages. If an athlete continues to train intensely, they can slow down that atrophy by about half.

But it still declines.

Couture, though, has traditionally been all too happy to smack the science nerds around. And so come November, we’ll again find him in the underdog role, surrounded by a chorus full of “buts.”

“But Lesnar is a wrestler, too …”

“But he’s much bigger …”

“But he’s 46 now …”

Couture will smile at his opponent from across the ring, as if he knew something we didn’t.

And usually, he does. But this time, the fans had it right all along: He’s too old for this